Then you might be like nearly 40% of Americans.
Gold and silver are pulling back right now, but this comes on the heels of an incredible rally.
This pullback is a great opportunity to buy silver and gold. Consolidation periods in a larger bull market cycle provide a chance for investors to seize a strong position before prices resume their upward climb.
Over the next few years, you will have either purchased gold and silver at current prices or you will have wished you had.
Silver in particular is providing an excellent opportunity for profit as well as wealth insurance at current levels.
But buying is only the first step.
The next question is do you store or stack?
Whether you plan to "stack" at home in a safe, a safe deposit box at a bank or credit union, or domestically or abroad at a precious metals depository, there are many things to consider…
Stacking at Home
The primary reason for owning gold is to preserve purchasing power—serving as true wealth insurance. That principle guides our longstanding motto: Keep What’s Yours!
We define gold as wealth insurance as…
“The store of purchasing power, with high liquidity, for a potential financial crisis you hope to never have.”
To fulfill this purpose, your gold must remain readily accessible. In a financial emergency, having direct access to your metal enables you to navigate and resolve urgent liquidity needs promptly. For this reason, we strongly recommend beginning your accumulation by taking physical delivery of your metal. Key considerations include:
- Maintain discretion. Safeguard your privacy regarding your precious metals holdings and their storage location.
- Your personal stack should be sufficient to address short-term contingencies while you arrange access to other assets.
- Limit in-home holdings to amounts you are personally comfortable protecting.
Holding your precious metals yourself is the most cost-effective way to hold them… until they are lost or stolen. Then, it becomes the most expensive way to store your precious metals. Once you have enough gold and silver on hand to meet immediate financial threats safely, look to the professionals to store the balance of your gold and silver allocations.
Storing at a Bank
Bank safe deposit boxes present a viable storage alternative, but there are risks to keep in mind.
Access to your metals is limited to banking hours, which could hinder availability during critical moments.
The possibility of institutional failure, highlighted by the recent bank collapses in 2023, underscores the importance of carefully assessing counterparty risk.
Additionally, most banks do not insure the contents of their safe deposit boxes, so dedicated insurance may be necessary to achieve appropriate asset protection. It’s important to understand that banks are not obligated to compensate clients for losses due to theft or destruction while assets are stored in their custody.
Storing at a Depository
As your precious metals portfolio grows, a professional depository often becomes the optimal solution for safeguarding your accumulated wealth. Reputable depositories offer state-of-the-art facilities managed by experienced professionals and provide comprehensive insurance at full market value, ensuring robust protection at all times.
While these services carry storage fees—covering physical security, operations, and full insurance—the benefits far outweigh the costs for prudent investors.
Notably, the Perth Mint Certificate Program, jointly developed by ASI and The Perth Mint over twenty-five years ago, remains the only government-guaranteed precious metals storage solution worldwide.
Always verify that your chosen depository provides 100% insurance coverage. Facilities offering only fractional insurance introduce unacceptable risks; complete coverage for your holdings is non-negotiable.
Storing Domestically and Overseas
One last thought on precious metals depositories…
As your net worth increases, so should your gold and silver allocations as a percentage of your portfolio. World Gold Council recommends an allocation of 8-12% based on various surveys. To ensure that all of your eggs are not in one basket, spread that wealth out among a number of reputable storage facilities, in various locations, domestically and abroad. The more spread out your wealth is, the safer your portfolio will be.
Holding Your Precious Metals Safely
If you want to keep your precious metals safe so that they can do their job as a safe haven asset, a secure storage option is a must. Better yet, a range of secure storage options so that you can keep a small amount in your home in case of turbulent times, but also store larger amounts that would not be possible to protect in a home safe or hiding place.
Precious metal depositories offer significant advantages in terms of storing and protecting your precious metal assets. Not only do they provide enough space to house a large amount of bullion, but enhanced surveillance and monitoring practices keep your metals safe.
If you would like expert guidance on the full spectrum of custody options, ASI has developed longstanding relationships with premier storage providers domestically and abroad. Contact us at 1-800-831-0007 or email us to speak with a Preferred Client Representative. We are committed to assisting you in identifying the strategy best aligned with your objectives and investment horizon.
